Tuesday, February 11, 2025
‘IT’S TOUGH TO BEAT’
Former NHL player joins sons in coaching youth team / P10
Council OKs $800K to staff seldom-used ambulance / P3
Mayor to present leadership event for women, girls / P6
Carmel graduate among D.C. plane crash victims / P7
Annual custom home tour set for Hamilton, Boone counties / P11
136th
JANUARY & FEBRUARY DINE IN DEALS!
Mon: 20% off total bill
About us
& Meridian or 131st & Towne Rd
Tues: 1/2 price bottles of wine
Sat: FREE: kids meal, dessert or appetizer when you spend $25 or more
Carmel approves $800K to staff seldom-used ambulance at CFD Station 342
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
The City of Carmel aims to improve its response time to medical emergencies in southwest Carmel by adding two firefighters to all three shifts at Station 342, which allows a mostly unused ambulance kept on site for years to be fully staffed and available.
PUBLIC SAFETY
The Carmel City Council approved an ordinance Feb. 3 appropriating $800,000 from the city’s general fund to cover the cost of staffing the ambulance beginning March 1 through the end of the year. Initially, firefighters will work overtime to cover the shifts, but CFD Chief Joel Thacker said the long-term plan is to hire additional employees and include them in the department’s budget.
According to Rich Taylor, a city councilor who sponsored the ordinance, the ambulance has been owned by the city and ready for service for at least a decade. Thacker, who joined CFD in September 2024, said it has been used as a backup when a primary ambulance is out of service and for special events, but it has not typically been staffed.
The decision to add staff at Station 342 comes after the city partnered with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4444 on an assessment that showed that ambulance response times in parts of southwest Carmel don’t always meet national standards.
The city declined to provide a copy of the assessment results to Current before they are presented to the city council in March. But according to a city press release, National Fire Protection Association standards call for first responders to arrive within five minutes of a call not less than 90 percent of the time, with a transporting unit arriving within nine minutes not less than 90 percent of the time.
“Carmel’s districts all meet or exceed the
Two additional firefighters will be staffed at all times at Station 342 beginning in March to allow the Carmel Fire Department to utilize an on-site ambulance. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)
standard, with the west side area targeted for the increased staffing occasionally falling under the standard,” the press release states.
Taylor, who serves as chair of the council’s finance committee, said that two areas in southwest Carmel had “zero instances” of meeting Commission on Fire Accreditation International response standards.
“When I was informed that five out of the six (areas served by) Station 342 were less than 80 percent of the time meeting the 9-minute and 30-second arrival time under international standards — and (the city) had an ambulance at that location — I knew we had to do something immediately,” Taylor told Current Feb. 4. “Kudos to the Carmel Fire Department, Chief Thacker and Mayor Finkam to look at addressing this immediately with the council.”
Thacker told the council that adding the ambulance and staff will help Station 342, which is on the northwest corner of 106th Street and Shelborne Road, maintain CFD’s high level of service in an area that has experienced population and business growth.
“Over the last 20 years, since Station 342 was opened, we’ve seen an increase in the number of private residences, townhomes
and commercial properties there,” Thacker said. “Some of these are some of our largest residential properties that present some challenges by setting back off the roadway, and so two additional firefighters to engage in emergency operations there are going to provide additional success to those first-arriving units on the scene.”
Currently, ambulance service in southwest Carmel is provided by other CFD stations or neighboring municipalities. Other than Station 342, the only CFD station without a staffed ambulance is Station 343, which is near 106th Street and Keystone Parkway.
During a public hearing at the council meeting, Sean Sutton, CFD safety and training division chief and president of Carmel Professional Firefighters Local 4444, spoke in support of the ordinance, which he said will “save lives.”
“This money is going to be worth the spend,” he said. “Early in my career (at Station 342), we had a child with a serious traumatic injury, and we had to sit there for probably 12 to 15 minutes — it seemed like two days we sat out there — waiting for an ambulance to get there. This will make a difference.”
Founded October 24, 2006, at Carmel, IN Vol. XIX, No. 15
Copyright 2023
Current Publishing, LLC
All Rights Reserved.
525 North End Dr. Ste. 175 Carmel, IN 46032
317.489.4444
Contact the editor
Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share?
Contact Managing Editor
Ann Marie Shambaugh at annmarie@youarecurrent.com or call 317.489.4444. You also may submit information at currentincarmel. com. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.
Share your thoughts
Letters to the editor may be sent for consideration to letters@youarecurrent.com. Letters have maximum word count of 300 words. Please include your city of residence and a contact phone number for verification. Current Publishing may refuse letters.
Advertise your business
If you’re interested in reaching the Carmel market (38,529 households), you may obtain more information by emailing ads@youarecurrent.com (subject: Carmel advertising) or by calling 317.847.5022.
Obituaries obits@youarecurrent.com
Legal advertising legals@youarecurrent.com
Delivery questions
circulation@youarecurrent.com
Join our community facebook.com/currentincarmel x.com/youarecurrent instagram.com/youarecurrent
Opinions
The views of the columnists in Current in Carmel are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of this newspaper.
DISPATCHES
Silver Pen Writing Competition — The Stratford is presenting the 12th annual Senior Living Communities Silver Pen Writing Competition. A panel of members will evaluate 1,000-word essays and then award cash prizes totaling up to $3,750 to help two local high school seniors with their post-graduate plans. The deadline to submit an essay is Feb. 16. An award ceremony will take place in the spring. For full rules and to submit an essay, visit Silverpen-SLC.com.
Daniels joins Liberty Fund board — Liberty Fund Distinguished Scholar and Senior Advisor Mitch Daniels has joined the Carmel-based nonprofit’s board of directors. Daniels served as president of Purdue University from 2013 to 2022 and Indiana governor from 2005 to 2013. Liberty Fund conducts its own educational programs to encourage research and discussion on the values and institutions of a society of free and responsible individuals. Learn more at libertyfund.org.
Heroes Club appoints president — The Heroes Club has named Matt Frey, a Carmel native and owner of Bub’s Burgers, as its president. In its 29th year, The Heroes Club is a Carmel-based nonprofit that funds a $400,000 accidental death benefit to dependents of police officers, firefighters and public safety employees who perish in the line of duty within the City of Carmel and Clay Township. It also awards equipment and training grants. Learn more at theheroesclub.org.
Earth Day Art Contest — Carmel Green Initiative is inviting children in kindergarten through eighth grade to enter the 2025 Earth Day Art Contest. Entries will be displayed at several local exhibits to inspire the community to live more sustainably. Entries are due Feb. 14. Learn more about the contest at CarmelGreen.org
CEF annual campaign — The Carmel Education Foundation will present its annual fundraising campaign, “Share the Love. Shape the Future” from Feb. 10 to 14. CEF supports Carmel Clay Schools educators and students through grants, scholarships and more. Make a donation at secure. qgiv.com/for/sharetheloveshapethefuture.
Daniels Frey
By Ann Marie Shambaugh • AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Council appoints committee to review city’s affiliate ties Parking banned on Randall Dr.
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
What it means: The amendment prohibits parking on both sides of the street generally north of the car dealerships. Previously, parking was permitted on the west side of Randall Drive, but nearby residents said the parked cars blocked clear sight lines and made driving through the area more dangerous.
What it means: The Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation board previously approved the changes. Updating city code to match CCPR rules allows park resource officers to enforce the regulations. Changes include setting a unified speed limit of 15 mph on the Monon Greenway, outlining provisions for scattering of human cremains and prohibiting reckless operation of motorized or self-propelled vehicles or bicycles.
What happened: The council approved a planned unit development for a new neighborhood on the southeast corner of 146th Street and Towne Road. What happened: The council approved several updates to rules at Carmel parks. What happened: The council approved an ordinance amending parking regulations on Randall Drive.
What it means: Developer Lennar Homes is planning to build 50 one- and two-story homes on 16 acres. The proposal originally included townhomes and a commercial node, but both were removed before the final vote. Councilors thanked Lennar for gathering feedback and making significant changes.
The Carmel City Council appointed three of its members to comprise the Affiliate Review Committee, but the councilor most involved in launching it wasn’t one of them.
The council voted Feb. 3 to appoint Ryan Locke, Teresa Ayers and Shannon Minnaar to the committee, which will review the city’s ties to two nonprofits – Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Promote Carmel – and community development corporations affiliated with the city.
Councilor Jeff Worrell, who worked with Mayor Sue Finkam to launch the committee, announced his disappointment at not being nominated but said he accepts the decision.
“I’ve been informed that my role as a roundabout T-shirt vendor for All Things Carmel, one of the affiliate nonprofits to
be reviewed, could create the potential for perception of a conflict of interest,” Worrell said. “I’m speaking here tonight to acknowledge my acceptance and my understanding of the council’s decision, but more importantly, I want to agree with you that the work of this committee is far too important to allow anything to taint their work, even in perception.”
Finkam closed the All Things Carmel store, operated by nonprofit Promote Carmel, without advance notice in August 2024 to redirect funds to other priorities. More than 65 local vendors — including Worrell — sold products on consignment through the store.
In October 2024, Finkam abruptly terminated a majority of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt board. Worrell planned to initiate a council investigation of the terminations the following month, but he and Finkam instead decided to work together and include the matter as part of a review of all city affiliates.
The Carmel City Council met Feb. 3 to vote on parking restrictions on Randall Drive, approve updated rules in Carmel parks and give final approval for a new neighborhood near 146th Street and Towne Road.
CITY NEWS
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
CITY NEWS
Since taking office last year, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam said she has been surprised by the number of middle school girls inspired by the city having a female leader at the top.
So, Finkam wants to encourage female students and professionals to find and pursue their ambitions through the inaugural She L.E.A.D.S. conference, set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at 502 East Event Centre, 502 E. Carmel Dr.
“Any opportunity we have — with (Carmel’s) amazing community and resources — to help guide our youth for a leadership perspective, we should do it,” Finkam said. “It also allows us to build community as well by doing professional offerings.”
The first segment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be geared toward women, with attendees learning about professional develop-
ment opportunities through a keynote address, panel discussions and networking.
From 4 to 7 p.m., middle school girls can learn about various career paths through interactive demonstrations. Finkam will sign a certificate of completion for students who attend.
L.E.A.D.S. stands for Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement, Development and Service. Topics for all attendees include mentorship, professional growth and career exploration. Both groups will have opportunities to win prizes.
“(The event is for) leaders of all ages who want to learn from their peers about how to make the most of themselves and the gifts they have,” Finkam said.
The mayor said she hopes She L.E.A.D.S. will become an annual event. She said sponsorships cover the cost of presenting the conference.
Admission is $40 for professionals and free for students. Tables for up to 10 attendees are $350. Learn more at bit.ly/412NdTd.
Carmel prepares for unexpected
Commentary by Mayor Sue Finkam
As we look ahead to another exciting year of community events in Carmel, it is crucial to address a sobering reality: Emergencies can happen anywhere, even in our vibrant city. Recent tragedies, including the vehicle attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans and devastating fires in Los Angeles, remind us of the need for proactive planning to ensure public safety.
GOVERNMENT
In Carmel, we are fortunate to have exceptional leaders like Police Chief Drake Sterling and Fire Chief Joel Thacker, who work tirelessly to prepare our city for the unexpected. Their leadership ensures our emergency response teams are not only well-trained but also strategically aligned to address evolving threats.
From large-scale celebrations like the Carmel Christkindlmarkt to weather-related emergencies, our approach is rooted in prevention and swift action. Chief Sterling has prioritized advanced surveillance and crowd management protocols, enabling officers to monitor events in real time and act quickly when needed. Similarly, Chief
Thacker has emphasized fire prevention and emergency medical response strategies, ensuring that venues are equipped with safety measures and that staff are trained in evacuation procedures.
Collaboration is key to effective emergency preparedness. Our public safety teams partner with local organizations, event organizers and regional agencies to conduct drills and improve response times. Additionally, we engage the community through education campaigns, empowering residents to recognize and report potential risks.
Carmel is known for its spirit of unity and innovation. By prioritizing emergency preparedness, we safeguard not only our city’s reputation but also the lives of everyone who calls Carmel home or visits to share in our many celebrations. Together, we can ensure safety remains at the heart of our thriving community.
Sue FInkam is mayor of Carmel.
CHS grad remembered as ‘kind and caring soul’
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
Asra Hussain was a “kind and caring soul” with a gift for making other people feel special, according to her sister, Arisa Hussain.
IN MEMORIAM
The 2016 Carmel High School graduate enjoyed hosting and making food for her guests and was always the first to think of birthday gifts for friends and family.
“She was so incredibly generous and just wanted to give people the best,” Arisa Hussain said. “She went above and beyond to help out anyone in need.”
Asra Hussain, 26, was among more than 60 people killed Jan. 29 when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter before 9 p.m. as the jet prepared to land in Washington, D.C. No one survived the accident, which remains under investigation.
Asra Hussain was flying home from a work trip when the collision occurred.
“She was so passionate about her career and health care equity,” Arisa Hussain said. “She achieved and accomplished so many things. She was the pride and joy of our entire family. We hope her legacy can live on and people continue to remember her for the beautiful soul she was.”
Born and raised in Carmel, Asra Hussain attended Towne Meadow Elementary and Creekside Middle School before attending CHS. In 2020, she graduated from Indiana University, where she met her husband, and worked in health care consulting for a few years before deciding to pursue a master’s degree in health care administration at Columbia University in New York.
“After (earning) her master’s, her and her husband decided to move to Washington, D.C., a city that she always had a special place in her heart (for) due to fond memories from childhood trips,” Arisa Hussain said.
Asra Hussain was a “beautiful source of joy and light for everyone in her life,” according to a statement released by her family.
“She brought people together everywhere she went and was a pivotal member of her community. Asra was warm, thoughtful, kind, and generous to all who were lucky enough to meet her,” the statement reads. “Asra called many places home. We are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our communities in Indiana and Missouri who loved Asra like a daughter.”
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to a fundraiser for charitable causes at bit.ly/412rHhg.
Asra Hussain earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Columbia University in New York. (Photo courtesy of Arisa Hussain)
KITCHENS
BATHS
OLMC student enjoys experience
John W. Cleveland of Carmel, Indiana went to his eternal home on January 29, 2025. John was born in New Castle, Indiana to John P and Janet L Cleveland on August 24, 1940. John was a loving, dedicated husband, father, and Papa and is survived by his wife of 52 years Joan E (Hostetter) Cleveland, his daughter Jennifer L Cleveland Cassidy (Chris), his son Jason P Cleveland (Jill), and his grandchildren Sophie and Jack Cassidy and Piper, Willow, and Cassius Cleveland. His surviving extended family includes his brother J Edward Cleveland, sisters-in-law, Carol Cleveland, Carolyn Franke Hess (Paul), and Judi Hostetter and brothers-inlaw Gene Hostetter (Susan) and Michael Hostetter (Barbara), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Ed and Nerine Hostetter, his brother James (Jim) Cleveland, and his brothers-in-law Robert (Bob) Franke and Jim Hostetter.
Rica. Joan and John also took their children on many trips throughout the United States, passing on the love of travel. Florida played an important role in their vacation destinations as they spent many family spring breaks in Ft. Myers Beach and then many years as snowbirds in Manasota Key. However, John’s most treasured vacation spot was Lake Wawasee in Indiana. When he was in his 20s, he helped his parents build their house on the lake and, in 1981, he purchased a home on that same street for his family. John was an avid sailor, owning four sail boats across his lifetime and relished in sharing his love of the water with family, friends, and neighbors.
John graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School in 1958. During high school John was a member of the football team, speech and debate club, and an avid bird watcher. John formed many relationships growing up in New Castle that lasted throughout his lifetime, and we are appreciative of the following people who we also consider family: Joe and Greta Grider, Doug and Peggy Walls, Stu and Lana Worl, Libby Edwards, and Jack Anderson. John went on to achieve a BS in finance from Wittenberg in 1962 and an MBA in marketing from IU in 1964. John served in the Army Reserve in the Chemical Warfare division from 19651971, including a six month stay at Ft. Ord in California where he was a Chaplain’s Assistant. John worked for Western Products during college and then took a sales role as a Manufacturer’s Representative at his father’s company, John P Cleveland and Associates upon graduation. In 1971, John purchased an ownership stake in this company, and it was renamed CMH and Associates. John listed among his proudest accomplishments taking this company from four employees to twenty-one while representing some of the leading hardware companies in the Midwest.
John met his wife Joan in 1968 at Here Apartments in Indianapolis. They were married on November 18th, 1972, in Carmel, Indiana and went on to build a life in New Castle with their two children. John inherited a love of travel from his parents and over his lifetime he and Joan traveled to the Caribbean, Europe, Hong Kong, and Costa
John was an active member of the First Christian Church in New Castle, serving as a deacon, stewardship chairman, and a trustee. He was a member of the school board in New Castle for twelve years serving as President and participated in hiring a new superintendent during his time on the board. He was also a member of the Elks and started two social dining groups among his friends: Gourmet and The Monday Night Group (aka In Search of an Identity).
John faced a series of challenging health issues beginning in 2016. He never gave up and always worked hard to try to improve his health and maintain his mobility and strength. In addition to his immediate family: Joan, Jennifer, Jason, Chris, and Jill, John was supported in this endeavor by a long term, dedicated care giver Bernie Stewart and occupational therapist TJ Hendrix. Over the course of his health journey many family members and friends stepped up to provide additional support to John and Joan and we want to especially recognize J Cleveland, Carol Cleveland, Gene and Susan Hostetter, Mike and Barbara Hostetter, Peggy Walls, and Jack Anderson for their time and dedication. At the end of his life, John and his family received support from Paradigm Health, Kindness Care Solutions, and Christina McCann with Encompass Senior Navigation.
Per his request, John will be cremated, and a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday April 27th at The Ritz Charles Ballroom in Carmel, Indiana from 1-5pm. Tributes to John will begin at 2pm with reception time before and after. Memorial contributions can be made to First Christian Church in New Castle or The Henry County Community Foundation (Choose Henry Flex Fund).
By Les Morris news@currentincarmel.com
Indiana’s best middle school musicians came together for an annual concert in January and for the first time, a student at Our Lady of Mount Carmel was part of the symphony.
MUSIC
Katherine Kibler of Carmel is an eighth-grader at OLMC and plays the clarinet. After uploading an audition track with her application, she was one of 100 musicians selected by The Indiana Bandmasters Association to participate in the 17th Annual Junior All-State Band. Students in grades 7-9 were eligible to audition.
She was surprised and excited to be chosen but didn’t have much time to prepare to play her part in the six performance pieces. She received the sheet music four weeks before the concert, which was performed Jan. 18 in Fort Wayne.
Janie Richardt, band director at OLMC, had no doubt she would master the music.
“These had to be kids who were motivated to practice on their own, and I knew Katherine could do it,” Richardt said.
The size of the all-star clarinet section was a revelation to Kibler. At OLMC she is part of a six-person clarinet ensemble. She was one of 21 clarinetists in Fort Wayne.
“I met a few other people from my section,” Kibler said. “We had a lot in common, so we had a lot to talk about. I related to them overall very well.”
Kibler said she plans to audition for next year’s concert.
From left, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Band Director Janie Richardt with eighth-grade student Katherine Kibler. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Kibler)
JUST FOR LAUGHS
indie folk band
‘Jersey Boys’ veteran to guide Beef & Boards show
JUST FOR LAUGHS
Four decades later, stand-up routine still fun for Foxworthy
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Jeff Foxworthy has written several books, hosted TV game shows and radio shows, starred in his own sitcom and recorded comedy albums, but stand-up comedy is still the thing he enjoys most.
“It’s funny. When I quit my job at IBM to try this, I secretly hoped I’d be able to get away with it for two or three years,” he said. “It never dawned on me that I could make a lifelong career out of it. Now, I’ve been doing it for 41 years. I love the time on the stage. I am over the airports and hotel rooms. Now when I do a show, I jokingly say the show is free. You are paying me to get on another plane and sleep in another hotel
room.”
Foxworthy will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Fishers Event Center. His longtime friend Reno Collier is the opening act. The performance is presented by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation.
“I’m big on education because I’m two decisions from drywalling,” Foxworthy said. “It’s amazing to me how you can change people’s lives with education.”
Laughter can change lives. Foxworthy said it often seems like Americans have been yelling at each other for a long time and have forgotten how to laugh at themselves.
“I don’t think laughter makes people’s problems go away, but it is a relief valve that keeps the boiler from exploding,” he said. “It’s a coping mechanism. I think the more we can laugh,
especially laugh at ourselves, the more mentally healthy we are to deal with the rest of life.”
The 66-year-old comedian said he often gets asked why he doesn’t retire.
“Why would I quit doing something I really enjoy doing?” he said. “It's changed so much over the decades of doing it. I think I was fortunate as a comedian that I discovered early on what worked for me. I just figured out if my wife or family member was doing or saying something, other people were thinking, saying and doing the same thing. That’s always the template I’ve come up with ideas for. It’s very rewarding when people come backstage and say, ‘You’ve been in my house.’ It’s been a wonderful way to make a living. I kind of feel like I cheated life.”
Foxworthy said he marvels at the different aspects of his career.
“When you are in the middle of it, you are just trying to be creative,” he said. “You look back and say, ‘I had some pretty productive years.’”
Foxworthy said he has slowed down on some of his activities so he can enjoy more time as a grandparent.
“I paint and draw and do a lot of different things,” he said. “My wife says if I’m not doing something creative, I’ll explode. I found just different creative things. I just wrote a movie with a friend and I’m tinkering around with a novel -- doing some things I thought might be fun but never had the time to do.”
Foxworthy is no stranger to performing in larger arenas. He spent six years on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with his friends Bill Engvall, Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy.
“We were doing arenas. Financially for me, it was a boon, but it’s a weird show for me as a comic because I’ve always thought comedy is kind of an intimate thing,” he said. “Even to this day, if I’m working on new material, I go back to itty bitty clubs. Some might hold 75 people.”
Foxworthy prefers to perform at a small club on a Monday or Tuesday instead of a weekend because he said he feels he gets a more honest audience reaction.
“I love that intimate environment,” Foxworthy said. “One of the things that has always kept standup interesting to me is you never get to the point that you have it figured out. After four decades, you think I would know what people will laugh at, but I can still be dead wrong. But that makes it fun and interesting.”
Foxworthy’s fame started with his “You Might Be a Redneck ...” routine. He turned it into a joke-a-day calendar.
“We did the first one in 1990, and I remember two or three years after saying to my brother, ‘I don’t know if there are 365 more (redneck jokes) out there,’” he said. “I just finished the calendar for 2026. Thirty-six years later, it’s still one of the bestselling page-a-day calendars. I don’t do it much on stage anymore because I figure people want to hear something on stage they haven’t heard before. I need to go back and see how many I’ve written because it’s got to be close to 10,000 (one-liners).”
For tickets, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
Jeff Foxworthy will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 at Fishers Event Center. (Photo courtesy of Fishers Event Center)
EVENTS CALENDER
‘PRIDE & PREJUDICE’
Through Feb. 22
Presented by Civic Theatre at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. The show is a spirited and refreshing take on the Jane Austen classic.
For tickets and showtimes, visit civictheatre. org.
‘JERSEY BOYS’
Feb. 14 - April 13
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre presents the fascinating secret of a 40-year friendship that led Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom.
For tickets and showtimes, visit beefandboards.com.
STEVE WARINER
Feb. 21
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
KALANI PE'A
Feb. 22
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
INDIANAPOLIS OPERA: 50TH ANNIVERSARY LEGACY GALA CONCERT
March 22
In celebration of 50 years of championing the vocal arts, Indianapolis Opera presents a legacy gala concert at the historic Hilbert Circle Theater in collaboration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 20 seasons. The event will showcase returning opera stars and worldrenowned alumni from IO’s many decades of artistry in the heart of Indiana, alongside members of the Indianapolis Opera Chorus, in a special evening presentation of opera favorites and classic lyric theater hits. For tickets and showtimes, visit indyopera.com
DON WAS & THE PAN-DETROIT ENSEMBLE
Feb. 28
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
‘AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE’
March 1
Presented by Indiana Wind Symphony at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. This special concert will feature a captivating arrangement of Bologne's "Overture to L'Amant Anonyme," alongside other chamber works. For tickets and showtimes, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
CRIME JUNKIE PODCAST LIVE: LIFE RULE #10 TOUR
March 6
‘CAT IN THE HAT’
Feb. 25 - March 6
Presented by Civic Theatre at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and showtimes, visit civictheatre. org.
TOM SEGURA: COME TOGETHER TOUR
Feb. 28
For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
Award-winning podcasters Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat will present the Crime Junkie Life Rule #10 Tour which is billed as an unforgettable true crime experience. For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
'LIFT EVERY VOICE'
A Celebration of Black History Through Music at the Palladium
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Opera star Angela Brown will lend her powerful voice to Indianapolis Wind Symphony’s tribute to Black History Month.
Brown, a soprano who lives in Indianapolis. will perform on three pieces during the Indiana Wind Symphony’s “Lift Every Voice” concert, set for 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“She will perform a suite of traditional gospel songs that are in a nontraditional setting,” IWS Music Director Jay S. Gephart said.
The suite is by composer Luigi Zaninelli. In the second half of the concert, Brown will perform two arias by composer Giacomo Puccini.
Gephart said several of the composers featured in the concert are Black. One of those composers is Omar Thomas, who is on the faculty of the University of Texas. The concert will include his piece “Our New Day Begun.”
The concert includes “Kaleidoscope Eyes” by Katahji Copley, a doctoral student at Michigan State University.
Gephart said trumpet player Jim Butz will perform a “beautiful” arrangement to compos-
“Summertime.”
The concert includes a tribute piece, “Salvation is Created,” to Janis Stockhouse, who died in December 2024. She was the Bloomington North High School band director for 38 years before retiring in 2019.
“She was one of the most respected band directors in the country,” Gephart said. “Her Bloomington North jazz band played at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago on three occasions. She won the Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor, which is the highest recognition the Midwest Clinic will give.”
In 2005, Stockhouse received the James B. Calvert Award, given annually to outstanding music educators at an IWS concert.
IWS assistant conductor Evan Cooper will be the guest conductor on “Castles in Europe.”
“We’re also doing a traditional march called ’Steadfast Leadership,’ which was done in honor of the 50th graduating class at West Point,” Gephart said. “The composer is Dwayne Milburn, who was the chief arranger for the United States Army Band for a number of years.”’
For more, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Soprano Angela Brown will be guest vocalist at Indiana Wind Symphony's Concert. (File photo) er Dave Wolpe’s
A FRESH SPIN
‘Jersey Boys’ veteran to guide Beef & Boards production
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Candi Boyd will never grow weary of her ties to “Jersey Boys.”
“I love ‘Jersey Boys,’” Boyd said. “I joined the cast of the first national tour in 2009, then the Broadway cast in 2011. I have had the opportunity to perform the show for over 11 years, in New York City, and all over the U.S. -- Las Vegas, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey.”
Boyd is the director/choreographer for Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of “Jersey Boys,” which runs Feb. 14 to April 13 at the Indianapolis venue. The story is based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
“I feel so lucky that I have had the privilege to work on one of the best musicals in history for so long,” Boyd said. “I truly don’t tire of it, and now my kids even sing the songs around the house. I’ll happily work on ‘Jersey Boys’ forever.”
Boyd said the best aspect of the show is the brisk pace and momentum.
“Our story never stops, and the audience never gets to come up for air,’ Boyd said. “This translates into the ‘furniture-ography’ of the show, which is as precise as any dance move, and watching the tables and chairs all move perfectly in harmony is thrilling. As far as actual choreography, I adore the joy and sim-
plicity of the choreo of the era. It’s more about shapes and angles than kicking the highest, and the movement all originates from a place of style, bravado and individualism.”
Boyd said the Beef & Boards cast is made up of two categories.
“First are colleagues I have previously worked with on ‘Jersey Boys’ that are the best at what they do, and I begged them to come make me look good,” she said. “Second are the local folks that the theater knows and loves, who make the shows at Beef & Boards successful, no matter what the style. It’s a perfect mix.”
Boyd said because every stage size and cast is different, she said the choreography is different.
“There are definitely scenes, pictures, moments and choreography that are classic to the show and always remind in some form, like the ‘Walk Like a Man’ marches, but I always want to keep my vision fresh and ever changing and improving.”
Two of Boyd’s favorite numbers are “Short Shorts” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
“The reason I like these so much is I’ve given them new and modern spins that they’ve never had in other productions,” Boyd said. “I also love the second act, where the scene work is lots of people leaving Frankie’s life, and between the scenes is a concert of Frankie singing ‘Bye, Bye, Baby.’ It’s such a beautifully written show.”
For more, visit beefandboards.com.
Joseph Leo Bwarie. Candi Boyd and Richard Blake perform a “Jersey Boys” scene at Tony Awards. (Photo courtesy of Candi Boyd)
MALINGO'S RISE
How a solo project became a ‘darling’ indie folk band
By Jennifer A. Haire editorial@youarecurrent.com
Struggling to cope with his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Jonny Gerber turned memories of his mom into music.
“That was a super therapeutic thing for me,” said Gerber, 38, founder, guitarist, singer and songwriter for the band Malingo. The name was inspired by Eric Clapton’s childhood alter ego, Johnny Malingo, who helped him cope with early life struggles.
Described as the Midwest’s “darling indie folk band,” Malingo’s semi-acoustic sound is a blend of folk, bluegrass and psychedelic blues.
Malingo will perform in the Live at the Center series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.
“Malingo started just as a me thing,” said Gerber, adding that as the fan base grew on streaming platforms, so did requests for live performances.
“People started to reach out about booking us, and there was no us, it was just me,” he said.
Forming a band was a longtime dream for Gerber, a Danville resident who grew up in Avon. Malingo’s drummer, Josh Faudree, is from Fishers.
“I’d been in bands in high school and stuff,
and that was always in the back of my mind, something that I wanted to pursue,” Gerber said. “So, I reached out to some old friends and a couple people that I met online and formed up the band.”
Malingo’s first show was performed in front of a sold-out crowd at McGowan Hall in Indianapolis in January 2023. The five-piece band creates original songs using a unique mix of mandolin, hand percussion, banjo and sometimes a didgeridoo. The Palladium show will feature a 1940s vibraphone.
“If we’re writing something, we don’t necessarily put many limits on it. It just has to feel like a Malingo song,” Gerber said.
Malingo is trying to grow its global fan base and engage with fans on social media.
“We record every performance that we do so that we can release live albums and just put out lots of content,” Gerber said.
The band is developing a behind-the-music podcast where it explores its songwriting process.
Malingo has released new music monthly and about one to two albums per year since 2016. The band’s goal for 2025 is to present at least one show or livestream each month.
Tickets are $10, with free livestream access available during and after the show. To register for the livestream, visit thecenterpresents.org.
Malingo members, from left, Sam Mcguire, John Boyle, Jonny Gerber Josh Faudree and LJ, Aucker. (Photo courtesy of 40FI Creations)
THE STEPCREW
March 7
The Canadian Celtic ensemble StepCrew brings together three dance forms – Ottawa Valley stepdance, Irish stepdance and tap. For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
BROOKLYN CHARMERS: A STEELY DAN TRIBUTE
March 7
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
COUPLES THERAPY: THE THEATRICAL SHOW
March 8
An evening of laughter and entertainment that is a unique and clever combination of theatre, stand-up comedy, and improv. For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
MIXED REP
March 9
Presented by Central Indiana Dance Ensamble at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring an blend of classical, contemporary, and modern repertoire. For tickets and showtimes, visit cidedance. org/current-season.
HANK RUFF AND THE HELLBENDERS
March 11
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
March 14 - 29
Presented by Civic Theatre at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and showtimes, visit civictheatre. org.
GUTFELD LIVE '25
March 15
Join Greg Gutfeld and comedian Tom Shillue for an evening filled with laughter, insight and surprises. For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
APPALACHIAN SPRING
March 16
Presented by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT
SWEATS: SOUTH OF HERE TOUR
March 18
For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
TEGE HOLT: ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
March 20
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
WELCOME BACK: THE RETURN OF EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER
March 21
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
MICHAEL JR.'S FUNNY HOW MARRIAGE WORKS
March 22
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS
March 23
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
FORREST FRANK: CHILD OF GOD TOUR
PART 2
March 27
For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
LANG LANG
March 28
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
BLAKE SHELTON
March 29
For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
EMMYLOU HARRIS
April 3
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
SPRING EQUINOX
April 4 & 5
Presented by Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
A.J. CROCE: HEART OF THE ETERNAL TOUR
April 4
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE
April 5
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
DANCING IN THE STREETS
April 6
Presented by Indiana Wind Symphony at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. This spring concert showcases a diverse range of music, from ballet to Broadway. For tickets and showtimes, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
PETER FRAMPTON: ‘LET'S DO IT AGAIN!’
April 11
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
April 12
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
‘CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES’
April 17 - May 18
Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre presents the show that started it all. Times are changing
quickly in 1965, and they'll do all they can to keep things from boiling over below the house of God.
For tickets and showtimes, visit beefandboards.com.
EASTER PARADE IN CARMEL
April 19
Presented by The Carmel Symphony Orchestra at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
MEGAN MORONEY: ‘AM I OK TOUR?’
April 24
For tickets and showtimes, visit fisherseventcenter.com.
‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’
April 25 - May 10
Presented by Civic Theatre at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets and showtimes, visit civictheatre. org.
‘9 TO 5’
April 25 - May 11
Presented by Actors Theatre of Indianapolis at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. 9 to 5 is based on the 1980 movie of
the same name, and features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. For tickets and showtimes, visit civictheatre.org.
MICKY DOLENZ OF THE MONKEES: AN EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES
April 11
For tickets and showtimes, visit thecenterpresents.com
‘WEST SIDE STORY’
May 9 - 11
Indianapolis Opera presents a musical classic, West Side Story! A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story is set in 1950s New York, where growing racial tensions between the Sharks, a gang of first-generation Puerto Rican immigrants, and the Jets, made up of ‘American’ boys, lead to an all-out street fight over territory. For tickets and showtimes, visit indyopera.org.
‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’
May 17 & 18
Presented by Central Indiana Dance Ensamble at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Dancers bring to life the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast: a story of love and transformation, where Belle's compassion and bravery break the spell cast upon the Beast.
For tickets and showtimes, visit cidedance. org/current-season
‘NOCHES CALIENTES!’
May 18
Presented by Indiana Wind Symphony at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. This performance will feature classical and contemporary pieces crafted by acclaimed Latin composers and offers diverse musical genres and styles.
For tickets and showtimes, visit indianawindsymphony.org.
Current Publishing’s audience is known for its affinity for all things entertainment. The average distance one will drive for experiential opportunities is 42.5 miles, according to independent research. Current’s special section, APPLAUSE, will reach 131,191 households in the communities we serve by U.S. Mail. This section provides you with the opportunity to connect with even more arts enthusiasts than you might otherwise be reaching. Take your marketing messaging to center stage with the offerings below, and then take a bow.
Senior guard helps fuel Shamrocks’ success
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Senior Durante Morton went from playing basketball on the “B team” in eighth grade to becoming a varsity starter on the Westfield High School boys team midway through his sophomore year.
“He’s kind of a late bloomer,” WHS coach Shane Sumpter said. “The amount of energy he brings every game (is impressive). He took five charges in his sophomore year in the sectional game against Carmel. He had 10 offensive rebounds (against Brownsburg) in one of our games this season. With Durante, it’s all the intangible things. It’s all the things he brings from a defensive standpoint. He’s not a kid that scores a ton of points for us. It’s the leadership on the floor in practice and floor (that is valuable).”
Morton moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore when a teammate got injured.
“He went in, got his opportunity and just took advantage of it,” said Sumpter, who is helping Morton find the right fit to play college basketball. “He’s a great communi-
DURANTE MORTON
Favorite athlete: Paige Bueckers
Favorite musician: Frank Ocean
Favorite movie: “The Pursuit of Happyness”
Favorite sports team: Los Angeles Lakers
cator on the floor, He’s always talking. He’s a big reason (why we’re) as successful as we’ve been.”
As of Feb. 5, the 6-foot-2 guard was averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. As a junior, Morton averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 assists per game.
“He gets so much out of who he is,” Sumpter said. “He’s not a 6-5, 6-7 kid, but
Westfield High School senior Durante Morton has improved throughout his high school career.
(Photo courtesy of Rock Media House)
he certainly plays that way. He’s a kid that had to wait his turn. That says a lot about his character.”
Sumpter said Morton worked hard to improve.
“The big jump was when he went to our freshman team, and I think he’s proved a lot of people wrong,” Sumpter said. Morton credits his hustle and passion for
the game for making the leap from eightgrade “B” team player to varsity starter.
“The more I play this game, the easier it gets to love it,” Morton said. “I started playing basketball as soon as I was able to pick up a ball. I grew up in a basketball family, so it was a given that I was going to become a basketball player. I played football, too, growing up, but I stopped playing in the fourth grade because I just didn’t like it as much as basketball.”
Morton said the key to the team’s success is everyone playing their role.
“There are no egos on our team, and everyone knows what they are on the court for,” Morton said. “What makes me passionate about the game is the amount of people that depend on me to play well. Not letting my teammates, coaches and fans down really drives my passion. Our team’s goal for this postseason is to win the sectional and make a deep run into the postseason. Being in one of the hardest sectionals makes the feeling of winning it 10 times better.”
To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@ youarecurrent.com.
‘IT’S TOUGH TO BEAT’
Former NHL player joins sons in coaching youth team
By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com
Drew and Riley Doyon know how fortunate they were to learn hockey from their father, Mario Doyon.
Mario, a 56-year-old Carmel resident, made it to the pinnacle of the sport during his long professional hockey career, playing 28 games as a defenseman with the Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques from 1989 to 1991.
Now, Drew coaches a 13-and-under Indiana Elite team in the Indianapolis Youth Hockey Association, with his father and brother assisting. The team won a major tournament in Detroit late last year.
“I feel fortunate to coach with both of them,” Drew said. “With my dad’s hockey background, it’s invaluable for me and my brother, but for the kids we coach as well. I think we all bring something different to the table. We all do our part and play our role in helping the team. I don’t know if we all agree on everything, but we respect and value each other’s opinions. It’s tough to beat, honestly, to have a relationship like that and be able to help grow hockey in Indiana is something special.”
Mario, a native of Quebec City, in the Canadian province of Quebec, who now lives in Carmel, played in European professional leagues and other minor league teams across the U.S. and Canada. He had two stints with the Indianapolis Ice, first in the 1989-90 season in the International Hockey League and his last professional season in 2003-04 in the Central Hockey League.
“I met their mom (in Indianapolis). We’re divorced now, but I’ve always stayed here,” Mario said. “Drew grew up skating. Riley was born in Switzerland. They’ve been playing hockey since they were 4 or 5 years old.”
Mario started coaching Drew and then was an assistant for Riley’s team. Mario said he’s come full circle coaching with his sons.
“It’s the coolest experience for me coaching and hanging out with them,” Mario said. “Riley is enjoying helping out, too. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Drew, 29, and Riley, 27, played at Aurora University, an NCAA Division III program.
Drew played a few games for the Peoria
Rivermen in the Southern Professional Hockey League.
“Then COVID started and that shut down the season and, ultimately, my playing
career,” said Drew, a 2013 Carmel High School graduate who lives in northern Indianapolis.
After graduating from CHS, Riley played junior hockey in Aberdeen, S.D., and Johnstown, Pa., for three seasons before going to Aurora. He played at Aurora with his brother for two seasons.
“I lived in Europe with him when he was playing and when he finished his career (with the Ice) I got to see him play,” Drew said. “To a kid that’s the coolest thing in the world — you idolize any professional player and having a dad as one is pretty awesome.”
Drew, who grew up playing for the Indianapolis Junior Ice, has been coaching for four years with IYHA. He is in his second year coaching with his father, as his father helped on the U14 team two years ago.
This is Riley’s first year coaching. Riley, a 2016 CHS graduate and Noblesville resident, played briefly for the Vermilion County (Ill.) Bobcats in the Southern Professional Hockey League before giving up his playing career.
“I obviously love the game of hockey, so being able to fill that itch of being able to coach has been nice,” Riley said. “It gives
me an excuse to hang out with my brother and my dad more than I already do. My dad used to coach my brother and I, so it’s cool to be on the other side of the bench with him. When I was that age (13), I looked up to my head coach (Fred Knipscheer). I still think so highly of him and still talk to him to this day. If someone was that for me, I can be a role model for someone else.” Riley said he is quieter than his brother.
“My brother is more the heart and soul of it,” he said. “I’m there if someone needs to get picked up or have an easier conversation. That’s usually my role.”
ON THE COVER: From left, Riley Doyon, Mario Doyon and Drew Doyon share their love of hockey with a 13-and-under elite team. (Photo courtesy of Drew Doyon)
STAYING IN THE GAME
For Drew Doyon, coaching is a way to stay a part of the sport he loves.
“I really love what Indianapolis has turned into from a hockey standpoint,” he said. “I really enjoy watching the kids get better and helping the program and all the kids hopefully reach their potential.”
Drew plans to continue to coach many of the same players on the 14-and-under Indiana Elite team next season.
Drew was primarily a center, and Riley played right wing during their hockey careers. Their father, Mario, was a defenseman during his pro career.
“It helps tremendously,” Drew said. “My dad is mainly focused on the defensemen. Riley does a lot with the forwards. I try to help where I can with both. We all bring something different but with my dad playing 16 years pro as a defenseman, I think he brings a lot of knowledge to the team.
The regular season is set to end in early March.
“We are trying to make a push to get into the district tournament to go to nationals,” Drew said.
An NHL card from the 1991-92 season featuring Mario Doyon playing hockey for the Quebec Nordiques. (Image courtesy of Mario Doyon)
Drew Doyon playing with Johnstown (Pa.) Tomahawks. (Photo courtesy of Tomahawks)
Riley Doyon played hockey at Aurora University. (Photo courtesy of Doyon family)
SC Bodner CFO role ‘a great fit’
By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com
After more than two decades at real estate development firm Lauth Group, Michael Garvey felt the time was right for a change.
The longtime Carmel resident left Lauth, where he was a partner and chief investment officer, in October 2024 and joined Carmel-based SC Bodner Co., a boutique multifamily real estate development and management firm, this month as its chief financial officer.
He answered the following questions from Current in Carmel about the shift.
HOW DID YOU CONNECT WITH SC BODNER CO.?
I’ve known (SC Bodner President) Steve Bodner and his family for over 20 years. We communicate often. His CFO announced several months ago that he was going to retire. So, Steve knew he had an opening. We had actually spoken about that several months ago, whether I had an interest (in the position), and if not, (who) would be a good person to help him run with his organization. So, when I departed Lauth, this was a great fit for me.
WILL YOUR ROLE BE SIMILAR TO THE ONE YOU HAD AT LAUTH?
I’ll be — as I was at Lauth — overseeing
all the financing and capitalization of properties, so that part stays the same. I’ll have some development responsibilities here, such as I did at Lauth.
The mere size and the number of assets at Lauth — that part will be different. Steve has always kept a handful of assets in the company and then elected to be more of a developer that would build, stabilize it, then sell. That portfolio at Lauth is larger, so there’s just more asset management day-to-day functions at Lauth than there will be here. We’re singularly focused on residential multifamily, whereas Lauth, as you know, did industrial mixed-use.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LEAVE LAUTH?
There are different views and desires for the company. For lack of a better term, it just seemed to be time. I have many friends still at Lauth, and I remain as one of the more significant investors on the Lauth side of the portfolio. So, I’m just no longer involved in the operating company but remain involved as an owner and investor.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT READERS TO KNOW?
When there’s a professional life event, where you depart a company where you did a lot of time, you do some personal searching, as well. (My wife) Caroline and I were steadfast on staying here. I didn’t even think or entertain at all leaving the market for a different opportunity.
Annual custom home tour set
EVENT news@currentincarmel.com
Old Town Design Group’s 2025 Custom Home Tour will be presented Feb. 15-16 from noon to 5 p.m. both days. The self-guided annual tour allows attendees to explore six custom homes, including four move-inready options, in some of the northside’s most coveted neighborhoods in Hamilton and Boone counties. The homes are in a mix of golf course, equestrian and downtown settings.
The neighborhoods with homes on the tour are Promontory in Zionsville; Holliday Farms in Zionsville; Midland South in Westfield; North End in Carmel; and Sunrise on the Monon in Carmel. Two homes are featured in Holliday Farms.
Old Town Design Group’s 2025 Custom Home Tour is this month in Hamilton and Boone counties. (Photo courtesy of Old Town Design Group)
Featured homes and locations can be found by downloading a map at oldtowndesigngroup.com/ event/2025-custom-home-tour/. For more about Old Town Design Group, a leading luxury
Garvey
Gifts fuel innovative classrooms, career explorations, and lifelong learning, benefitting not only Carmel Clay Schools, but also our world class Carmel Community. Annual Campaign February 10-14
Context always matters
Commentary by Terry Anker
Context matters in human interaction. Looking out of the office window and seeing someone running from their car to the front door could be alarming. Are they safe? Is there something wrong? Witness the same when it is raining, and we barely take note. Our minds fill in the story with a plausible and likely narrative. The person is hoping to get less wet by enduring the conditions for a shorter period, thus they run. No stress. No worry. Our brains have evolved to help us understand and use context to protect us and make our lives better.
ESSAY
As we have traveled this long journey from the dawn of Homo sapiens, the pace
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
Docket No. PZ-2024-00244 V & Docket No. PZ-2024-00245 V
Notice is hereby given that the Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on the 24th day of February at 6:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Civic Sq., 2nd Flr., Carmel, IN 46032, will hold a Public Hearing upon a Development Standards Variance application to add a 17’ x 19’ Sunroom Addition.
UDO Section 2.08: Maximum 35% lot cover allowed, 42% lot cover requested.
UDO Section 2.08 Minimum 20-ft rear yard setback required; 4-ft requested.
With the property being known as 1416 Jeffrey Ct. Carmel, IN 46032
The application is identified as Docket No. PZ-2024-00244 V & Docket No. PZ-2024-00245 V
The real estate affected by said application is described as follows: 0.28-acre site is located at 1416 Jeffrey Ct. (Cedar Lake Subdivision, Lot 27). It is zoned R1/Residence.
The petition may be examined on the City’s website, through Public Documents - Laserfiche.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the above application, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place.
Jeremey Place, West Design Build, LLC.
PETITIONERS
As we have traveled this long journey from the dawn of Homo sapiens, the pace of change has increased dramatically these past few generations.
– TERRY ANKER
of change has increased dramatically these past few generations. We learned to communicate first with language and then symbols, absorbing the changes over the millennia. Accelerating, we learned to share our accumulated knowledge through libraries, then even more as we moved from hand copies to ever more efficient methods of print. It was increasingly possible for us to learn the thoughts of others completely devoid of context. Still, few books were, or are, read without first knowing something of the author. But as broadcast radio, television and now the internet have found ever wider audiences, the receiver of the message finds themselves often far removed from any defining context of the sender. We scratch our heads in wonder about what they could have possibly been thinking as they clicked the send button.
Perhaps they didn’t intend to come across as angry as they did. Perhaps they should have stopped texting after the second glass of wine. Perhaps they hoped we see their sarcasm and not take it all too seriously. Perhaps they meant exactly what they said. It would be terrific to have just a little context.
Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@ youarecurrent.com.
Terry
LIFESTYLE
Across
1. IU athletics shoe sponsor
7. WFYI science show
11. Droop
14. Spanish wine city
15. Forehead
16. “Evil Woman” grp.
17. The ___ Brothers Band
18. Where to find the mountain gap HOOSIER PASS
20. App with pics, familiarly 22. Weather zones
23. Family room
25. African desert
28. Give a hoot
29. Smiley face in a text, e.g.
31. Tehran residents
33. Mideast ruler
34. Company with a crocodile logo
35. Kind of IUPUI prof
37. Snoring, in comics
38. Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve trees
42. Sandwich cookie
44. Villain’s look
46. Cowboy movies
50. Metro ___ (local eatery)
51. Naked
52. Grating
54. Colts stats
55. Speaker on a soapbox
57. Big mess
59. Location of the motorsports store HOOSIER KARTSPORT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY OF CARMEL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS HEARING OFFICER
Docket No. PZ-2025-00021 V
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer will conduct a meeting on the 24th day of February, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. at the Carmel City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chambers Room, One Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032, to hold a Public Hearing regarding an application identified by Docket Number PZ-2025-00021 V (the “Request”).
The property that is the subject of the Request is approximately 1.3 acres, is identified by the Hamilton County, Indiana Auditor’s Office as Tax Parcel Identification Number 17-13-09-00-13-033.000, is commonly known as 1571 Asherwood Lane, Carmel, IN 46032 and is identified as Lot 33 in the Asherwood subdivision (collectively, the “Real Estate”).
The Real Estate is zoned S1/Residence and the applicants, Hon Vien and Trina Sherlitz Vien are seeking the following development standards variance request:
1. UDO Section 5.02 (B) (3) (a) – Maximum Accessory Square Footage; 79% permitted via Docket Number PZ-2023-00172V; requesting 87%.
The Petition may be examined at the Carmel City Hall or via the City’s website, through Public Documents – Laser Fische.
All interested persons desiring to present their views on the proposal, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to be heard at the above-mentioned time and place. Written comments filed with the Department of Community Services prior to or at the Public Hearing will be considered, and oral comments will be heard at the Public Hearing. The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA
Bric Butler, Secretary, City of Carmel Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing Officer
Carmel City Hall
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 571-2417
Email: bbutler@carmel.in.gov
ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT HON AND TRINA SHERLITZ VIEN:
Jim Shinaver, Attorney
Jon Dobosiewicz, Professional Land Planner
Nelson & Frankenberger, LLC
550 Congressional Blvd., Suite 210
Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 844-0106
62. Delphi HS mascot
65. Spelling contest
66. Sam’s Gyros bread
67. Closed one eye quickly
68. Goof
69. Flower part
70. Enthusiastic consent Down
1. Doc bloc
2. Mavericks, on a Pacers scoreboard
3. Home of the pie company HOOSIER MAMA and the Southern rock band HOOSIER DADDY
4. “___ Yankees”
5. Two-time US Open tennis champ
6. Mr. Claus
7. WTHR network
8. Spanish gold
9. Lava spewer
10. Truant GI
11. Sailor
12. Birch relatives
13. Gaggle member
19. Costa ___
21. Tuna type
23. Sandra or Ruby
24. Jane Austen heroine
26. Site of the restaurant HOOSIER CAFE
27. Tease
30. Eleventh graders at Westfield HS 32. Wedding vow
Youngster
Zilch 39. Boxing legend 40. Setting for the transportation service HOOSIER RIDE 41. Plant starter 43. Military newbie 45. They have Xings
More cautious 47. Pencil end
48. Zionsville HS volleyball match parts
30-Down, next yr.
Darlin’
Cold molded dessert
Ashley Brown’s wintry forecast
“My bad!” 58. Boilermakers boosters
GPS reading
Beatles: “___ the Walrus”
Wranglers alternative
Current bosses, briefly Answers on Page 15
WE DO CONTACTLESS EXTERIOR ESTIMATES
WILL DO SPRING CLEAN UP WILL DO BOBCAT WORK
Trim/Remove trees & shrubs Building Demolitions Clean Gutters
Trash Removal & Odd Jobs
Painting inside or Outdoors
Property Clean Outs FULLY INSURED
Text or Call Jay 574-398-2135 shidelerjay@gmail.com www.jayspersonalservices.com
C&H TREE SERVICE FIREWOOD SALE
LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING
Locally Owned/operated over 43 Years
• SPRING CLEAN-UP
• LEAF REMOVAL
•MOWING
•FERTILIZING
•TEAR OUT/REPLACE FREE ESTIMATES CALL 317-491-3491
Topping – Removal Deadwooding – Landscaping
Stump Grinding – Gutter Cleaning INSURED – FREE ESTIMATES CALL STEVE 317-932-2115
PUZZLE ANSWERS
PROFESSIONAL CLEANERS
Join The Cleaning Crew, a trusted name in residential and Airbnb cleaning services. Flexible schedules, top pay, supportive team, growth opportunities. We require exceptional attention to detail and reliable transportation. Experience is a plus but not required. Send resume to info@thecleaningcrewindy.com. Questions? Call 317.748.0059.
Immediate opening for full time dental laboratory technician. Experience preferred, but not required. Candidates must have artistic ability, moderate computer skills, excellent work ethic and eager to learn. Position offers full benefit package Please forward inquiries and resume: khunterlab@gmail.com
